Sewing guide apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a conventional sewing machine particularly adapted for guiding the edge of a first fabric and the closed tubular end of a second fabric to the sewing needle in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides thereof by double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric. This is accomplished by feeding the closed tubular end of the second fabric over an elongated first guide member that is floatingly positioned therein and on or adjacent to the sewing machine in front of the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine. The first guide member comprises an enlarged tapered head portion and a pair of rearwardly extending prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween. A second guide member extends through the elongated opening between the prongs of the first guide member, and serves to fold inwardly the closed tubular end of the second fabric and to guide the edge of the first fabric so that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric prior to being advanced to the presser foot and needle of the machine.

United States Patent [191 Conforti [111 3,811,391 May 21, 1974 [73] Assignee: Melco Industries Inc., Brooklyn,

[22] Filed: June 11, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 368,853

Primary Examiner-H; Hampton Hunter Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lilling & Siegel [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for use in conjunction with a conventional sewing machine particularly adapted for guiding the edge of a first fabric and the closed tubular end of a second fabric to the sewing needle in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides thereof by double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric. This is accomplished by feeding the closed tubular end of the second fabric over an elongated first guide member that is floatingly positioned therein and on or adjacent to the sewing machine in front of the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine. The first guide member comprises an enlarged tapered head portion and a pair of rearwardly extending prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween. A second guide member extends through the elongated opening between the prongs of the first guide member, and serves to fold inwardly the closed tubular end of the second fabric and to guide the edge of the first fabric so that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric prior to being advanced to the presser foot and needle of the machine.

13 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIAYZI 1914 v 3 Q 81 1.391 SHEET 4 UF 4 SEWING GUIDE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to guide apparatus for a sewing machine and, more particularly, to guide apparatus for guiding the edge of a first fabric and the closed tubular end ofa second fabric to the sewing needle in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides thereof by double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric.

Heretofore, it has required tedious and time consuming manual operations to properly position an edge of a first fabric within the double edges of a second fabric prior to sewing them together, as in the case of the sewing of a collar having the double edges to the body of a garment having a single edge. Such manual operations have included the careful and accurate positioning of the fabric edges to be sewn in proper overlapping relation on pins or similar retaining means mounted on a rotating drum or similar apparatus prior to the sewing of the overlapped fabric edges.

Additional problems have been encountered in the case of knit-type fabrics where it is necessary to stretch the fabrics a predetermined amount before sewing so as to prevent the gathering or wrinkling of the fabric as it is being sewn, resulting in an unsightly seam. In the case of knit-type fabrics, one fabric having a closed loop end, such as a collar, may have to be sewnto the edge of another fabric, such as the body of the garment. The positioning of the edge of the body of the garment between the folded looped end of the collar of the garment has required complicated guide apparatus as well as skilled personnel for the purpose of properly feeding the fabric into the guide apparatus and manipulating the guide apparatus prior to the sewing operation, thereby greatly increasing the cost of manufacture of knit-type garments.

The US. Pat. to Marforio No. 3,658,020 discloses guide apparatus for positioning the edge ofa first fabric within the folded double layers of the closed tubular end of a second fabric prior to sewing them together. Although this guide apparatus represents a distinct improvement over the previously utilized apparatus for guiding and positioning such fabrics prior to sewing, it is subject to certain disadvantages. For example, the Marforio apparatus does not provide for the continuous feeding of the fabric having the closed tubular end to the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine, v

and also is not constructed or adapted to readily accommodate different types of fabric having closed tubular ends of various sizes.

A need has arisen, therefore, for a simple and versatile apparatus for use in conjunction with a sewing machine for guiding the edge ofa first fabric between the folded double layers of the closed tubular end ofa second fabric prior to sewing the same together. This need is fulfilled by the guide apparatus of the present invention which is not subject to any of the disadvantages of the previously used and known apparatus hereinbefore described, and which possesses advantages not possessed by the prior art apparatus of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The guide apparatus of the present invention comprises a first elongated guide member which is adapted to be floatingly mounted on or adjacent to a conventional sewing machine and is positioned forwardly of the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine. The first guide member preferably comprises an enlarged, rearwardly and outwardly tapered head position, a narrow neck portion and an elongated, rearwardly extending portion having a pair of elongated prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween. In one embodiment, the neck portion of the first guide member is positioned between a pair of drive rollers so as to be floatingly supported therebetween.

A second guide member is positioned on or adjacent to the sewing machine and comprises an elongated portion extending through the opening defined by the prongs of the first guide member. The second guide member serves to guide the edge of a first fabric into the opening definedby the prongs of the first guide member.

The closed tubular end of a second fabric is inserted over the head of the first guide member and is advanced over the first guide member by the pair of drive rollers floatingly supporting the first guide member. As the closed tubular end of the second fabric is advanced over the rearwardly extending prongs of the first guide member, the second guide member serves to fold inwardly the closed tubular end of the second fabric and to also guide the edge of the first fabric within the folded double layers of the tubular end of thesecond fabric. The edge of the first fabric and surrounding, folded double layers of the tubular end of the second fabric are then advanced in this relation to the presser foot and needle of the sewing machine.

By floatingly supporting the first guide member between the pair of drive rollers, the second fabric having the closed tubular end can be continuously fed over the first guide member, and the first guide member can be readily replaced by other guide members having a size determined by the thickness of the second fabric and the size of the closed tubular end thereof.

I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a sewing machine, showing the guide apparatus of the present invention in operating position relative to .the sewing machine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partially exploded perspective view, with parts omitted and parts broken away, of a first embodiment of the guide apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of one of the guide members of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the modified guide member of FIG. 4 and a second embodiment of the drive rollers for floatingly supporting the guide member;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 88 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sewing machine, with a third embodiment of the guide apparatus of the 3 present invention mounted in operating position relative thereto;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the third embodiment of the guide apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 12-12 in FIG. and

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I FIG. 1 illustrates a, conventional sewing machine 10 having a needle 12, a base 14 and drive means 16 of any suitable type. The guide apparatus 20 of the present invention is adapted to be mounted in any suitable manner on or adjacent to the sewing machine 10 in front of the needle 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3,.a first embodiment of the guide apparatus 20 of the present invention generally comprises a first guide member 22; means, such as drive rollers 24, for floatingly supporting the first guide member 22; and a second guide member 26. As will be more fullydescribed hereinafter, the first and second guide members 22 and 26, respectively, and the drive rollers 24 cooperate to guide the edge of a first fabric F1 and the closed tubular end of a second fabric F2 to the sewing needle 12 in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides thereof by double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric F2, as shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9. Although FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment of the 'guicleapparatus of the present invention, they are rerearwardly and outwardly tapered head portion 28, a

narrow neck portion 30 and an elongated, rearwardly extending portion having a pair of elongated prongs 32 defining an elongated opening 34 therebetween. The narrow neck portion 30 of the first guide member 22 is positioned between the vertically spaced drive rollers 24 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,such that the first guide member 22 is floatingly supported between the drive rollers.

The drive rollers 24 may be supported by any suitable means (not shown) on or adjacent to the sewing machine l0, and are rotatably driven in the directions shown by the arrows in FIG. 3 in any suitable manner, such as by one or more flexible drive cables 36 connected to the drive means l6 for the sewing machine. Each drive roller 24 preferably comprises a knurled or roughened peripheral surface 38 and a pair of annular, radially outwardly extending end flanges 40. Preferably, the flanges 40 of the drive rollers 24 are vertically spaced a distance less than the vertical dimension of the neck portion 30 of the first guide member 22 so as to retain the first guide member between the drive rollers 24. In view of the rotation of the drive'rollers 24 shown by the arrows in FIG. 3, the drive rollers 24 serve to advance the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 over the first guide member 22 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The knurled surfaces 38 of the .drive rollers 24 serve to aid in gripping and advancing the second fabric F2 along'the first guide member 22.

The second guide member 26 may be of any suitable construction so as to. cooperate with the first guide member 22 in a manner such that the edge of the first fabric F l is overlapped on both sides thereof by double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric F 2, as shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9. As an illustrative example, the second guide member 26 may comprise a generally flat guide surface 42 for the first fabric F1, and an elongated guide portion 44 extending beyond the guide surface 42 and being ada'ptedto be positioned within the opening 34 defined by the elongated prongs 32 of the first guide member 22. As shown in FIGS. 3,

8 and 9, the elongated guide portion 44 of the second guide member 26 is positioned to extend through the opening 34 between the prongs 32 to the oppositev side of the first guide member 22.

In the use of the guide apparatus 20 of the present invention, the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 is positioned over the head portion 28 of'the first guide member 22 and is inserted between the drive rollers 24 so as to be advanced along the first guide member 22 by the drive rollers. In order to facilitate the initial feeding of the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 between the drive rollers 24, the head portion 28 of the first guide member 22 preferably is of a size at its point of maximum thickness that is approximately the same as the interior dimension of the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2. i

As the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 is advanced along the first guide member 22 by the drive rollers 24, and begins to pass over the prongs 32 and opening 34 therebetween, it engages the elongated guide portion 44 of the second guide member 26 which serves to fold the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 inwardly to provide spaced double layers thereof, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. At the same time, the first fabric F1 is guided along the surface 42 of the second guide member 26 so that its edge is received between the double layers of thefolded tubular end of the second fabric F2. The edge of the first fabric F1 and the overlapping double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric F2 are then sewn together by the sewing needle 12 ofthe sewing machine 10 to form the overlapped seam shown in FIG. 9.

Since the first guide member 22 is-floatingly supported between the drive rollers 24, the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 may be continuously advanced over the first guide member 22. Also, the first guide member 22 may be easily replaced by a similar guide member of a smaller or larger size, depending on the thickness of the second fabric F2 and the size of its closed tubular end, by merely separating the drive rollers 24 a sufficientdistance to allow the reduced neck portion 30 of the first guide member 22 to clear the vertically spaced flanges 40 of the upper and lower drive rollers 24. This novel construction provides the additional advantage of utilizing the same means for advancing the second fabric F2 and for supporting the first guide member 22, thereby avoiding the necessity of having to provide separate support means for the I first guide member.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a first guide member 122 for the guide apparatus of the present invention. The first guide member 122 is similar to the first guide member 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in that it comprises an enlarged rearwardly and outwardly tapered head portion 128, a narrow neck portion and an elongated, rearwardly extending portion having a pair of prongs 132 defining an elongated opening 134 therebetween. In addition, the modified first guide member 122 comprises a pair of rollers 129 rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the head portion 128 and positioned to extend slightly beyond the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The rollers 129 serve to facilitate the smooth feeding of the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 over the head portion 128 and between the drive rollers for floatingly supporting the guide member 122 and for advancing the tubular end of the second fabric along the guide member.

The modified first guide member 122 also comprises an elongated, laterally extending projection 131 which serves to fully expand the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 as it is advanved toward the prongs 132 of the first guide member 122. The projection 131 is especially advantageous for use with knit-type fabrics for the purpose of stretching the fabric to keep it from gathering or wrinkling prior to being folded and sewn.

FIGS. 5 through 7 disclose a second embodiment of guide apparatus 120 utilizing the modified first guide member 122 shown in FIG. 4. The modified guide apparatus 120 comprises a first pair of drive rollers 124 adjacent the neck portion 130 of the first guide member 122, and a second pair of drive rollers 125, spaced rearwardly from the first pair of drive rollers 124 and located adjacent the prongs 132 of the first guide member. The drive rollers 124 are driven in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5 in any suitable manner. As an illustrative example, the drive rollers 124 may be fixedly mounted on rotatable shafts 123 that are driven by gears 121 of any suitable type. The drive rollers 125 may also be fixedlymounted on rotatable shafts 119 and may be driven by the drive rollers 124 through drive belts 127 extending around the rollers 124 and 125.

In the use of the modified guide apparatus 120, the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 is advanced over the first guide member 122 by the pairs of drive rollers 124 and 125. In additon, the drive belts 127 serve to engage the fabric F2 at the inner portions of their paths of travel to provide a continuous advancing force on the fabric between the drive rollers 124 and 125. As hereinbefore described, the rollers 129 on the head portion 128 of thefirst guide member 122 serve to facilitate the travel of the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 over the head portion 128 and between the drive rollers 124.

As the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 reaches the prongs 132 of the first guide member 122, it engages the elongated guide portion 144 ofa second guide member 126 that is identical to the guidemember 26 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The elongated guide portion 144 of the second guide member 126 extends through the opening 134 between the prongs 132 of the first guide member 122 and serves to fold the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 inwardly so as to form spaced double layers thereof in the manner shown in FIG. 8. At the same time, the first fabric F1 is moved along the surface 142 of the second guide member 126 so that its edge is overlapped on both sides thereof by the double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric F2 in the manner shown in FIG. 9. The overlapped fabrics F1 and F2 are thereinafter the closed tubular end of a second fabric to the needle guide member, and a second guide member 226 of modified construction.

The drive rollers 224 are secured to rotatable shafts 223 supported within a housing or gear box 225. The drive rollers 224 are drivingly connected in any suitable manner to a suitable drive means 216 by any suitable means such as one or more flexible cables 236.

The second guide member 226 comprisesa base portion 227 having vertically spaced apertures 228 so as to be fixedly mounted in any suitable manner on a pair of laterally extending, vertically spaced rods 229 supported on the housing 225. In this manner, the second guide member 226 can be mounted in any desired lateral position on the rods 229 adjacent to the first guide member 222. Preferably, the second guide member 226 is mounted on the rods 229 so that its rearwardly extending fingers 230 extend through the opening 234 defined by the prongs 232 of the first guide member 222, as shown in FIG. 13. In this manner, the closed tubular end of the second fabric F2 being advanced along the first guide member 222 by the drive rollers 224 is folded inwardly in the opening 234 between the prongs 232 by the fingers 230 of the second guide member 226 to form spaced double layers in the manner shown in FIG. 12.

At the same time, the edge of the first fabric F l is guided between the fingers 230 of the second guide member 226 such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by the double layers of the folded tubular end of the second fabric F2 before reaching the sewing needle 12, as also shown in FIG. 12. The sewing needle 12 then stitches the overlapped seam between the first fabric F1 and the folded double layers of the tubular end of the second fabric F2 in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 and 12.

The modified guide apparatus 220 is advantageous in that the second guide member 226 can be easily adjusted laterally relative to the first guide member 222 to accommodate second fabrics F2 having closed tubular ends of different sizes. Also, the fingers 230 of the second guide member 226 serve to positively guide the edge of the first fabric F 1 into the proper position between the folded double layers of the tubular end of the second fabric F2. If desired, the fingers 230 of the second guide members 226 may be tapered rearwardly and inwardly to insure accurate positioning of the first fabric edge in the seam.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it is to be understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for guiding the edge of a first fabric and of a sewing machine in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric, said apparatus comprising:

first elongated guide means adapted to fit within the closed tubular'e'nd of the second fabric, means for moving the closed tubular end of the second fabric over said first guide means and for floatingly supporting said first guide means, whereby the closed tubular end of the second fabric can be advanced continuously over said first guide means, and second guide means cooperable with said first guide means to fold inwardly the closed tubular end of the second fabric as it is advanced over said first guide means. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for moving the closed tubular end of the second fabric and for floatingly supporting said first guide means comprises a pair of spaced drive rollers, said first guide means being positioned between said drive rollers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rollers are provided with means for retaining said first guide means therebetween.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said retaining means comprising a pair of radially outwardly extending end flanges on each of said drive rollers.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first guide means comprises an enlarged head portion positioned forwardly of said drive rollers, a narrow neck portion positioned between said drive rollers, and an elongated body portion extending rearwardly of said drive rollers and having a pair of elongated, rearwardly extending prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a pair of rollers is rotatably mounted on said head portion adjacent the upper and lower surfaces thereof for facilitating the movement of the closed tubular end of the second fabric over said head portion and between said drive rollers.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein an elongated projection is formed on said first guide member between said head portion and said prongs for expanding the closed tubular end of said second fabric before it is advanced over said prong.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second guide meanscomprises an elongated portion extending between said prongs of said guide member and through said opening defined by said prongs.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said elongated portion of said second guide means comprises a pair of vertically spaced, elongated fingers adapted to receive and guide the first fabric edge therebetween.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means for adjustably supporting said second guide means to enable the position of said elongated portion thereof to be selectively varied relative to said prongs of said first guide member and said opening therebetween. I

11. Apparatus for guiding the edge of a first fabric and the closed tubular end of a second fabric to the needle of a sewing machine in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric, said apparatus comprising:

a pair of spaced drive rollers,

a first elongated guide member positioned between said drive rollers so as to be floatingly supported thereby, said first guide member being adapted to fit within the closed tubular end of the second fabric and comprising a pair of rearwardly extending prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween, said prongs being positioned rearwardly of said drive rollers, and

a second guide member having an elongated portion extending between said prongs of said first guide member and through said opening defined thereby, whereby the closed tubular end of the second fabric is folded inwardly as it is advanced over said first guide member and engages said elongated portion of said second guide member, and the first fabric edge is guided by said second guide member between the folded double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first guide member comprises an enlarged head portion positioned forwardly of said drive rollers, a narrow neck portion positioned between said drive rollers, and an elongated portion extending rearwardly of said drive rollers and comprising said prongs.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion of said second guide member comprises a pair of vertically spaced fingers adapted to receive and guide the first fabric edge therebetween. 

1. Apparatus for guiding the edge of a first fabric and the closed tubular end of a second fabric to the needle of a sewing machine in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric, said apparatus comprising: first elongated guide means adapted to fit within the closed tubular end of the second fabric, means for moving the closed tubular end of the second fabric over said first guide means and for floatingly supporting said first guide means, whereby the closed tubular end of the second fabric can be advanced continuously over said first guide means, and second guide means cooperable with said first guide means to fold inwardly the closed tubular end of the second fabric as it is advanced over said first guide means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for moving the closed tubular end of the second fabric and for floatingly supporting said first guide means comprises a pair of spaced drive rollers, said first guide means being positioned between said drive rollers.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rollers are provided with means for retaining said first guide means therebetween.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said retaining means comprising a pair of radially outwardly extending end flanges on each of said drive rollers.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first guide means comprises an enlarged head portion positioned forwardly of said drive rollers, a narrow neck portion positioned between said drive rollers, and an elongated body portion extending rearwardly of said drive rollers and having a pair of elongated, rearwardly extending prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a pair of rollers is rotatably mounted on said head portion adjacent the upper and lower surfaces thereof for facilitating the movement of the closed tubular end of the second fabric over said head portion and between said drive rollers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein an elongated projection is formed on said first guide member between said head portion and said prongs for expanding the closed tubular end of said second fabric before it is advanced over said prong.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second guide means comprises an elongated portion extending between said prongs of said guide member and through said opening defined by said prongs.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said elongated portion of said seconD guide means comprises a pair of vertically spaced, elongated fingers adapted to receive and guide the first fabric edge therebetween.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising means for adjustably supporting said second guide means to enable the position of said elongated portion thereof to be selectively varied relative to said prongs of said first guide member and said opening therebetween.
 11. Apparatus for guiding the edge of a first fabric and the closed tubular end of a second fabric to the needle of a sewing machine in a manner such that the first fabric edge is overlapped on both sides by double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric, said apparatus comprising: a pair of spaced drive rollers, a first elongated guide member positioned between said drive rollers so as to be floatingly supported thereby, said first guide member being adapted to fit within the closed tubular end of the second fabric and comprising a pair of rearwardly extending prongs defining an elongated opening therebetween, said prongs being positioned rearwardly of said drive rollers, and a second guide member having an elongated portion extending between said prongs of said first guide member and through said opening defined thereby, whereby the closed tubular end of the second fabric is folded inwardly as it is advanced over said first guide member and engages said elongated portion of said second guide member, and the first fabric edge is guided by said second guide member between the folded double layers of the closed tubular end of the second fabric.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first guide member comprises an enlarged head portion positioned forwardly of said drive rollers, a narrow neck portion positioned between said drive rollers, and an elongated portion extending rearwardly of said drive rollers and comprising said prongs.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion of said second guide member comprises a pair of vertically spaced fingers adapted to receive and guide the first fabric edge therebetween. 